Top 7 Charger-Rich Scenic Byways to Explore by Electric Vehicle in 2025
The classic American road trip. It’s a tapestry woven from endless horizons, quirky roadside diners, and the freedom of the open road. For years, the soundtrack was a rumbling engine. Today, it’s the quiet hum of an electric motor, a sound that promises not just adventure, but a more sustainable way to experience it. Yet, for many electric vehicle owners, the dream has been clouded by a nagging worry: range anxiety. What if I get stuck in the middle of nowhere?
That fear, my friends, is becoming a relic of the past. As we look ahead to 2025, the EV charging infrastructure is exploding, transforming once-daunting scenic routes into accessible playgrounds for electric explorers. My colleague, Goh Ling Yong, and I often talk about how the biggest shift isn't just the cars themselves, but the freedom they now afford. The question is no longer if you can take your EV on a legendary scenic byway, but which one you’ll conquer first.
We’ve done the research, mapped the chargers, and daydreamed about the views. Here are the top 7 charger-rich scenic byways that are primed and ready for your electric vehicle adventure in 2025. Pack your charging adapter, queue up your favorite playlist, and let’s hit the road.
1. The Pacific Coast Highway (California State Route 1)
Let's start with the undisputed king of road trips. The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is a bucket-list drive for a reason, with its dramatic cliffs plunging into the turquoise Pacific, charming coastal towns, and iconic bridges like Bixby Creek. For EV drivers, what was once a source of anxiety—especially through the remote Big Sur section—is now one of the best-equipped long-distance scenic routes in the world. California's robust EV infrastructure means you're never too far from a plug.
Major hubs like Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Monterey, and San Francisco are saturated with DC fast chargers (DCFCs) from networks like Electrify America, EVgo, and ChargePoint. Even the more remote stretches are seeing significant upgrades. Boutique hotels, state parks, and restaurants in the Big Sur area are increasingly installing Level 2 chargers, perfect for an overnight top-up while you listen to the crashing waves. By 2025, expect even more high-speed chargers to fill the few remaining gaps, making the entire route a seamless, worry-free journey.
Pro Tip: Use an app like PlugShare and filter for your vehicle’s plug type and charging speed. For the Big Sur segment, plan a lunch or overnight stay at a location with a confirmed Level 2 charger, such as the Post Ranch Inn or Ventana Big Sur. This "destination charging" strategy turns a necessity into a luxurious part of the experience.
2. The Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia & North Carolina)
Winding through the Appalachian Highlands, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a serene, almost meditative drive. It’s a place of rolling blue-tinged mountains, misty mornings, and vibrant fall foliage. With a strict speed limit and no commercial vehicles, it’s a route designed for savoring, which is perfect for maximizing your EV's range through regenerative braking on the downhills. For years, the parkway itself was a charging desert, but that narrative is rapidly changing.
The key to conquering the Blue Ridge Parkway in an EV is to use its gateway towns as charging hubs. The parkway is designed with numerous entry and exit points. You can drive a 60-80 mile scenic stretch and then dip into vibrant cities like Asheville, NC, Roanoke, VA, or Boone, NC, which are all well-stocked with DC fast chargers. Major investments from networks and state governments are ensuring these access points are fortified for EV travelers. Many of the historic lodges and inns along the parkway are also installing Level 2 chargers for overnight guests.
Pro Tip: Plan your itinerary in segments. For example, drive from Roanoke (charge up!) south towards Blowing Rock, NC. Spend the night there, top up at a local Level 2 charger, and then continue your journey towards Asheville, your next DCFC hub. This approach lets you enjoy the remote beauty of the parkway without ever feeling the pinch of range anxiety.
3. Scenic Byway 12 (Utah)
Often called the "All-American Road," Utah's Scenic Byway 12 is a journey through some of the most surreal and breathtaking landscapes on the planet. This 124-mile route carves through the crimson hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park and the immense, colorful geology of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It’s the kind of remote, awe-inspiring territory that used to be a firm "no-go" zone for most EVs. Not anymore.
Thanks to concerted efforts by the state of Utah and private networks, this vital tourist corridor is now surprisingly accessible. You'll find reliable DC fast chargers in key towns at both ends of the byway, like Panguitch (near Bryce) and Torrey (near Capitol Reef National Park). Even the tiny, stunningly beautiful town of Boulder, roughly in the middle, has Level 2 charging available. Driving this route in a quiet EV is a profound experience; the silence of the electric motor allows you to feel fully immersed in the vast, ancient landscape.
Pro Tip: The elevation changes on Scenic Byway 12 are significant, especially over Boulder Mountain. Your EV will use more energy going uphill but will regenerate a surprising amount on the way down. Trust your car’s range estimate, but give yourself a 20% buffer, especially in colder weather. Start in either Panguitch or Torrey with at least a 90% charge for maximum peace of mind.
4. The Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire)
Affectionately known as "The Kanc," this 34.5-mile byway cuts through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest and is arguably the most famous fall foliage drive in New England. It’s a relatively short route, but it’s pure, uninterrupted nature—no gas stations, no hotels, no cell service, and certainly no chargers. But that's precisely what makes it a perfect, low-stress day trip for an EV.
The strategy here is simple: charge up before you get on. The towns flanking the Kancamagus, Lincoln on the west and North Conway on the east, are bustling tourist hubs with a growing number of charging options, including DC fast chargers. You can easily arrive in Lincoln, plug into a fast charger while you grab a coffee and a maple donut, and then enjoy the stunning drive over the pass to North Conway with more than enough range to spare. The quiet ride allows you to hear the rustle of leaves and the rush of the Swift River, an experience often muffled by a traditional engine.
Pro Tip: Your round-trip journey on the Kanc itself will likely only use 40-50 miles of range, depending on your vehicle. The biggest energy consumer will be running the heat during a crisp autumn drive. Pre-warm your car's cabin while it's still plugged in to conserve battery for the road.
5. The Overseas Highway (Florida)
There’s no other drive quite like it. The Overseas Highway strings together the Florida Keys like a concrete-and-steel necklace, with the sparkling Atlantic on one side and the calm Gulf of Mexico on the other. This 113-mile drive from Key Largo to Key West is a sun-drenched journey over 42 bridges, including the spectacular Seven Mile Bridge. And for EV drivers, this tropical paradise is fully powered up.
The density of the population and tourism in the Keys has led to excellent charging infrastructure development. You'll find DC fast charging stations in major hubs like Key Largo, Marathon, and Key West, making it easy to hop between them. Furthermore, nearly every major resort and many smaller hotels now offer Level 2 charging for guests, so you can charge up while you're out on a fishing charter or lounging by the pool. The relatively flat terrain and warm weather are also ideal for maximizing your EV's efficiency.
Pro Tip: While DCFCs are available, they can be popular. Book a hotel with confirmed Level 2 charging. This allows you to start each day with a "full tank," giving you the freedom to explore the side roads and hidden beaches of the various Keys without ever thinking about your next charge.
6. The Historic Columbia River Highway (Oregon)
The first scenic highway in the United States to be named a National Historic Landmark, this route is a masterclass in road-building, designed to gracefully blend with the stunning landscape of the Columbia River Gorge. You'll wind past jaw-dropping waterfalls like Multnomah and Latourell Falls, navigate mossy stone walls, and stop at breathtaking viewpoints like the Vista House at Crown Point.
As a cornerstone of the "West Coast Electric Highway," Oregon has long been a leader in EV infrastructure. The corridor from Portland through the Gorge is exceptionally well-covered. You’ll find an abundance of DC fast chargers in gateway towns like Troutdale, Hood River, and The Dalles. This allows you to explore the historic sections of the highway and the main I-84 corridor with complete confidence. The state’s commitment to sustainable travel makes this the quintessential green road trip.
Pro Tip: Some of the best parts of the old highway are accessible as scenic loops off of I-84. Use the fast chargers along the interstate as your home base, and take these shorter, beautiful detours to see the waterfalls and viewpoints. This is far more efficient and enjoyable than trying to stick exclusively to the older, slower roads.
7. The St. Lawrence Electric Pathway (Quebec, Canada)
Let's head north for our final route, a stunning international journey that showcases just how advanced some charging networks are. While not an officially named byway, the route along the St. Lawrence River from Montreal to Kingston, Ontario, is a fantastic EV road trip. You can hug the river, explore the charming towns of Quebec, and venture into the magnificent Thousand Islands region, all powered by one of North America's most reliable charging networks.
Quebec's public utility, Hydro-Québec, operates The Electric Circuit, a vast and extremely reliable network of chargers, including many 100kW+ DCFCs. Once you cross into Ontario, you can tap into the excellent Ivy and FLO networks. The chargers are often located at convenient spots like grocery stores and popular coffee shops (hello, Tim Hortons!). This route proves that long-distance EV travel can be as simple and routine as a traditional road trip, if not easier.
Pro Tip: Download The Electric Circuit and FLO apps before you cross the border. While some US-based network apps have roaming partners, having the native apps makes finding stations and initiating a charge much smoother. Also, enjoy the lower electricity rates in Quebec—it makes for a very affordable journey!
The Road Ahead is Clear
The electric road trip is no longer a pioneering expedition into the unknown. As we accelerate into 2025, it’s simply… the road trip. The combination of longer-range vehicles and a rapidly maturing charging infrastructure has unlocked the country's most beautiful scenic byways for zero-emission travel. The silence of the drive allows for a deeper connection with the nature you came to see, and the planning becomes a fun, engaging part of the adventure.
As Goh Ling Yong often says, "The best journeys are the ones that move you forward, and there's nothing more forward-thinking than exploring the world sustainably." The routes are ready. The chargers are waiting. The only question left is: where will you go first?
Share your dream EV road trip or any EV-friendly scenic routes I might have missed in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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